Blaster 318 Stainless Longshaft

[oconnor]

I ride a blaster 1. Shaft is 735mm long with a buggered SPLINE. May have the opportunity to make one...

What are your opinions on getting a long shaft machined out of 318 stainless?
Ignoring price issue, has anyone tried this or does anyone think it might work?

Matt from the Sunshine Coast, Australia

 

[SirMrManGuy]

I'm not sure what the stock shafts are made out of so I can't tell you if its stronger or not, but in general I don't see a problem with a 318ss shaft. If someone knows what the stock shafts are and their heat treatment I can probably give a more detailed comparison. Generally, strength wise mild<stainless< chromo (4140, 4340 etc)

Since the hub is generally made of stainless as well as the midshaft coupler out of mild or something, you shouldn't see galvanic corrosion issues (which is something to look out for when joining stainless and aluminum), so I wouldn't worry about that.

Here is a good plain English article on splines and shafts http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-BV60/index1b.html with some things to look out for when machining.

 

[wanderer1]

If youre gonna make one and want the best the Ti 2al4v. If you have a bearing race issue you can turn it down and press a sleeve on. Cutting the splines is the costly part of the process.Back when I used to make them material was about $150 and some of mine are still running today from 1990 for Kawis.

 

[Brian_216]

Would titanium shafts really make all the difference? Mid shaft and drive shaft? Now if we can just get the weight of the impeller down to go with it! I'm all for reducing weight of the rotational mass but is it something you would even notice?